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Hiking Guide
Yosemite Hiking Trips
Although there are dozens of National Parks, Yosemite is unique and, when it comes to hiking, Yosemite hiking trips will be something which you will never forget.
For those of us who love hiking, or merely enjoy seeing some of the world's finest natural scenery, Tuolumne Meadows is just one example of Yosemite's unique features. At 2,620 meters (8,600 feet) it offers pure air, bright sunshine and an opportunity to escape the crowds which sometimes make unassisted or guided hikes in Yosemite something of a challenge.
For a real challenge, which is also uncrowded, the more adventurous will want to hike Cloud's Rest at Yosemite. This particular trail is well named because the 14 mile hike offers a spectacular view and makes you feel as though you could actually touch the clouds hovering above your head.
Starting at Tenaya Lake and finishing at the edge of an enormous granite outcrop this one is well worth getting in shape for as, looking down below and surrounded on three sides by sky, you will feel very much like the eagles soaring in front of you. From here views of Half Dome and El Capitan are also magnificent but are not the only spectacular views to be experienced on the Yosemite backpacking trails.
Mariposa Grove is another splendid area of the park and here you will find hundreds of giant sequoias which impress even the staunchest of concrete-loving urbanites. Indeed, many of these magnificent trees are so spectacular that they have been given their own names. One such amazing sequoia is the Grizzly Giant which stands some 20 stories high, is 30 feet in diameter and an unbelievable 2,700 years old.
There are of course other sequoia forests in Yosemite such as the Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove near Crane Flat which are also extremely impressive and some are in areas of the park which are ideal for day hikes and which tend to be less crowded.
Another of Yosemite's impressive sights is Yosemite Falls which is just one of many magnificent falls in the park. My own favorite though is Bridal Veil which is an easy 20 minute hike up from the center of the Yosemite Valley and offers breathtaking views of Cathedral Rock and El Capitan.
An of course there can be nothing to top El Capitan itself. This is one of the most popular rock climbs in the world and the 3,000 foot sheer face is not something to be tackled by the fainthearted.
Yosemite National Park is quite simply magnificent and for newcomers to the area there is probably nothing better than to take one of the many Yosemite guides hikes to help you to get to know your way around. There are many wonderful Yosemite day hikes and for anyone who enjoys hiking then this is one national park which you simply cannot afford to miss.
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